'Issue of declining bank credit to exporters to figure in Sept 11 meet

'While exports grew by 15% in rupee terms between 2021-22 & 2023-24, outstanding credit in March 2024 fell by 5% over same month in 2022'

The declining bank credit to exporters will hurt the sector, and traders will flag the issue prominently during their meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on September 11, an industry official said on Sunday.

While exports grew by 15 per cent in the rupee terms between 2021-22 and 202324, the outstanding credit in March 2024 dropped by 5 per cent over the same month in 2022, according to exporters.

Apex exporters body Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) said the export credit growth is not keeping pace with rising exports of the country. "We have seen a decline in export credit between March 2022 and March 2024 despite the need for more credit for longer duration due to hike in prices of commodities, sharp spurt in freight (both sea and air) and the Red Sea crisis, leading to longer voyage time and delayed payment," FIEO Director General Ajay Sahai said.